Test chambers remove or add heat from the product to the air, which increases or decreases the temperature in the chamber. The absorbed heat is circulated through the cooling system to the condenser, where it must be expelled. There are two cooling alternatives: air or water.
Standard climatic chambers or those with lower requirements are usually air-cooled, expelling heat directly into the room where they are located, which generates heat within the room itself that must be taken into account.
If the chamber is to be installed in a closed, unconditioned area, it is advisable to contact the manufacturer, as air-cooled chambers do not work reliably if the ambient temperature of the room where they are installed regularly exceeds +28 ºC or +32 ºC.
Another point to consider is dirt. The condenser constantly moves air flows and most chambers have the condenser located near the floor, which allows it to become easily dirty and clogged, increasing the working pressure of the equipment and therefore activating the overpressure safety devices. For greater chamber effectiveness, the condenser must be clean and free of obstructions so that air can circulate properly. Regular cleaning of the condenser will improve the chamber’s performance.
If the chamber is to be located in a dirty environment or where the atmosphere cannot be contaminated by noise, then the solution is to use a remote air cooling system (air condenser), removing the condenser from the chamber and placing it at a distance, usually outside, freeing the room from the heat and noise generated by the system. However, environmental conditions must be taken into account to ensure that the condenser can function properly under the environmental conditions of the country.
